In Other News.....

We're moving. To a bigger house in a different part of Carson City. And as hard as the physical moving part will be, I'm really, really looking forward to having more space---lately Dave and I have felt like we're in the middle of an obstacle course when trying to make our way from the kitchen to the family room!

Laney is becoming such a big girl. When she wants to-she can seriously be a huge help to me around the house and with her younger siblings. Dave and I are constantly surprised at how 'big' she seems--she and her little friends can really, really play now and it's so sweet to watch. And sometimes painful-she can be really vulnerable. She's caring and capable. And so, so feisty--when she makes up her mind, we're in for it--there's no changing Delaney's mind--it's like trying to change the direction of the wind-just not going to happen. We still have a ton of battles with her. She still loves constant stimulation--which as she gets older and more mature, is harder and harder for me to provide her with. She loves to be really busy and loves anything that is new or different. She has an unbelievable imagination and loves to play.

Elliot has been pretty sensitive and vulnerable lately---I literally can see him struggle to figure out where he fits in---with the 'big kids' or the 'babies'. His favorite phrase right now is--'Elliot big boy'. He is a big boy, but he'll always be my baby! He can be incredibly sweet and snuggly and gives me tons of hugs and kisses but is so, so active and constantly doing somersaults off of the couch and jumping off of anything and everything. He's still pretty shy in public-but has been a little less so recently. He can give me a really tough time and be super stubborn (just like his big sister!); I put his shoes on, he takes them off, I put them on, he takes them off..... And so it goes.

Louisa. My little baby. She's our brown eyed darling. She's super attached to me and me to her. I still feel uneasy when I'm separated from her. For the most part, she's calm and even tempered but she does love to be carried around for most of the day-watching everything around her. Good thing her mama likes to carry around babies so much! She's resilient. She goes with the flow. She's tiny, tiny, tiny but is a great eater and still loves to nurse--thank god because I am so NOT ready for her to wean.

Mother's Day

I love, love, love Mother's Day--it's my favorite day of the year. I know my place in this world---as the mommy to my three little ones. It's by far the hardest thing that I've done (we don't do anything the easy way around here!) and definitely the most important. And I love Delaney, Elliot and Louisa so much. I can't imagine my life or the world without them.

On Thursday Delaney brought a highly anticipated mother's day present home from school and dutifully hid it behind her pillow (just as her teachers told her to do) until this morning. All last week, Laney had been talking about a big 'surprise' that she was making at school; however, I was somewhat doubtful that I would ever receive this surprise, as she had told her daddy that she loved it so much that she wanted to keep it! But Laney came through---and gave me a beautiful heart necklace this morning. She was sooo excited that it finally was Mother's Day and was so proud of herself-it was adorable!

Both Laney and Elliot made me a beautiful poster complete with pipe cleaners and fuzzy balls---truly precious!

Dave made sure that I had a great day. Louisa woke up well before 6 AM-but Dave got up with her and then Elliot and Laney too. Then they all headed to the bakery for some pastries while I continued to snooze. Later in the morning I went to the hot springs by myself-it was wonderful and so relaxing, but oh so weird not to have at least one or two little ones with me! I was hopeful that everyone (including me) would nap today, but Elliot didn't agree, so after 'quiet time', Elliot and I headed to the park while Laney and Dave made grilled chicken salad--simple and my absolute favorite. It was a great day.

Goofy

This morning, the first chance that he got, Elliot ran outside in his pajamas, sneakers and helmut to ride his trike. He has so much energy and can be so goofy--he always makes us laugh.

Boy Vs Girl

These two bathtime videos make me laugh--they're so Delaney and Elliot. Delaney plays quietly and intently with her bath toys while Elliot jumps and splashes like a mad man. I swear I would have to glue Elliot's little bottom to the tub to get him to sit still for a minute.

Nemesis

Dave jokingly and lovingly refers to Louisa as 'his nemesis'. Little sweet Louisa can give daddy a really tough time--she's really into her mommy right now (as she should be!) and screams whenever Dave watches her. Like really screams. Like she screamed for over 1 1/2 hours on Sunday night when I went out with some friends. And then the second that I came home and held her, she nestled right in and was happy as a clam. Don't you worry Louisa-soon you'll realize how great and fun your daddy is and I'll be old news!

Another Beach Sunday

Another Sunday, another beautiful day at the beach! Just so you don't get jealous--the weather here has been horrid during the week, making for some long days and serious cabin fever, yet the weekends have been beautiful.

We took Gabe, one of Laney's buddies, up to the beach and met up with a couple more friends. It was wonderful--the kids happily played on the beach, we picnicked and the kids played in the forest and 'rock climbed'.

Elliot's been having a tough time lately. He has very much been seeming like the middle child to me--not exactly sure where he fits in. He's not a 3 1/2 year old, yet he so wants to be one of the gang. It hurts me-literally-it's painful to watch him struggle. I want him to be happy being him and where he is in his little life.

Sisters

My girls. Laney is a really good big sister; she had just turned three when Louisa was born and I have to say that I totally 'get' why some people find the three year spacing ideal. Laney is helpful and compassionate towards Louisa and not in the least threatened---Laney knows that she's the big girl and that Louisa is the baby girl. These two little girls couldn't be more different---in coloring and in temperment! I'm looking forward to watching their relationship grow.